If only we could pick Jonah Lomu

STEVE HANSEN accused referee Pablo Deluca of ruining Welsh line-out plans - and said he was happy to see the back of the Argentine official after injury prevented him from reappearing for the second half.

STEVE HANSEN accused referee Pablo Deluca of ruining Welsh line-out plans - and said he was happy to see the back of the Argentine official after injury prevented him from reappearing for the second half.

Deluca incurred the wrath of the Wales coach after penalising them for their tail jumper stepping over the 15-metre line.

Hansen claimed he was shocked, suggesting most referees ignore players stepping back as long as they were in the permitted zone when the ball is thrown in.

"Scotland shut down our line-out after the ref said we could not use the back option. They had three locks and contested very well.

"As a result, we could not do what we wanted. It was not until later in the first half we could get back in to game. In the second we changed things around and played pretty well.

"Clearly, we are disappointed we did not come out at the end of it with a win. But, first half, we really struggled, particularly in the first 30 minutes, to get any possession.

"Obviously, it is a huge problem if you cannot win your own line-out ball. But all credit to the boys - they were successful in that area in the second half. They came back in that area and that makes me happy."

Hansen admitted it would be "ideal" to have a big and powerful ball-carrying No 8 but said, "We haven't. This is the best lot of players we have got. We have to get them better.

"I would like 10 more ball-carriers, 10 more Jonah Lomu's, but we do not have them. We have just got to play with what we have got. These boys are getting better, maybe not for 80 minutes, but they are improving.

"We dominated must of the possession and territory in the second half but just did not score enough points."

The former Canterbury coach pointed to the substitution of leg injury victim Deluca with English official Tony Spreadbury at half-time as a telling moment because it gave Wales an opportunity to throw long at the line-out.

"He went back to the way other referees handle the game," said Hansen. "The lesson is we have to learn to adjust and keep our composure. But, all credit to Scotland, for having a very good defensive line-out."

Asked whether he thought Wales had performed better or worse than they did in their 26-9 defeat against Six Nations favourites England in Cardiff a fortnight ago, Hansen replied, "We improved in some areas but not others.

"What I said after the loss in Italy still applies. What happened this week won't affect what happens next week.

"We have to prepare the same as we have and look at the small improvements we need to make and the big improvements we need in other areas."

Hansen urged critics to blame him for Wales's failings, saying, "I head up the organisation so it's my responsibility. I should be taking all of it. Rather than butcher the captain they can butcher me. I am pretty thick-skinned.

"Parts of our game were very poor, but there were parts which were poor that became good. The line-out was an example - there was quality ball off the back in the second half and we scored some good tries.

"I like winning so it is frustrating when you are not. As I have said before, this side will eventually win games."

He refused to succumb to the notion that Wales were going to be whitewashed, saying, "I don't want to talk about it.

"Of course it is going to be difficult. We are not naive to think the two teams we have left to play, Ireland and France, are not going to be hard to beat.

"Ireland have beaten France so they will be looking for the championship.

"Every time we don't win it gets worse, I guess. It gets harder, but we have been here before. Scotland were hurting a week ago; they took a roasting but bounced back. We have to bounce back against Ireland."